Quail and pheasant hunters are overdue for some good news. Until
last year, drought wreaked havoc with western bird populations and CRP
had been in a downward spiral since 2007. The CRP program dropped from
40 million to just 24 million acres nationwide.

But those losses have now stabilized, and some states are adapting
to the new normal by creating their own programs to improve habitat on
private lands. And, thanks be to God, the drought has ended throughout
the West. Only some areas of the Southeast now are suffering drought as
this goes to press.

Additionally, birds throughout the country enjoyed their second
mild winter in a row. As a result, with few exceptions, quail and
pheasant populations are up across most of their range. This should be a
pretty good year for hunting.

Of course, this forecast is being written just as the birds begin
their spring nesting. Check each state's website in early fall for
up-to-date reports on nesting success.

ALABAMA

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WEBSITE: www.outdooralabama.com/hunting

QUAIL SEASON: Tentatively November 4-February 28; 8 daily limit

OUTLOOK: Bobwhite quail management in Alabama has been mostly
handed over to the private sector. When you click on "quail"
at the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
website, about all you get is a pamphlet on how to improve quail habitat
on your property. That is a telling indicator of the status of the
bobwhite quail in Alabama. If you're looking for quail in Alabama,
look for lands--either private or public--where longleaf pine
restoration is occurring, through the use of controlled burns and other
management techniques.

ARIZONA

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WEBSITE: https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/

QUAIL SEASON: October 6-February 11, except Mearns quail season
begins on December 8. Daily limit is 15 quail, of which no more than 8
may be Mearns quail.

OUTLOOK: Quail hunting has been slowly but steadily improving in
Arizona for the past couple of years, thanks to better monsoonal
moisture patterns. However, the weather patterns have been spotty, so
pockets of good hunting may be surrounded by areas that are still
struggling. Some of the best outlooks are in southern Arizona (south of
Tucson), where scaled and Mearns quail have benefited the most from
improved conditions. For the most up-to-date information, see the
state's season forecast at this link:
https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/forecast/

OUTLOOK: Quail have become a relatively low priority on
Arkansas' conservation agenda. For remnant bobwhite hunting
opportunities in Arkansas, look to the Oachita National Forest where
quail habitat restoration has been underway for several years on certain
units.

CALIFORNIA

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WEBSITE: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/QUAIL SEASON: Not yet posted
at press time, and generally vary widely by zone. Daily limit is
generally 10 quail. See website in late summer for the most current
regulations.

PHEASANT SEASON: Season usually runs from mid-November until
Christmas.

OUTLOOK: Pheasants have all but disappeared from California, but
remnant populations exist in the Klamath Basin of northern California,
as well as the Central Valley. For the best chances, look to the
Klamath. Thanks to some drought relief, quail populations in California
have rebounded slightly over the past two years. Best hunting in 2017
will be found along stream and river corridors in the central and
northern parts of the state.

COLORADO

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WEBSITE: http://cpw.state.co.us/thing-stodo/Pages/SmallGame.aspx

QUAIL SEASON: Vary by region, and set in mid-July. Generally second
Saturday in November through early January in some units, and extending
through January 31 in others. Limits also vary by species and unit.

PHEASANT SEASON: Vary by region, and set in mid-July. Generally
second Saturday in November through early January west of I-25, and
extending through January 31 east of I-25.

OUTLOOK: Thanks to good weather, quail in Colorado rebounded
significantly in 2016 and hunters enjoyed good action wherever habitat
was suitable. For best public land opportunities in 2017, look to the
Comanche National Grassland. Pheasants have also been on the upswing in
Colorado. Best prospects this year, as in past years, will be found in
Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma, Kit Carson and Logan Counties.

FLORIDA

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WEBSITE: http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/quail/

QUAIL SEASON: November 11-March 4; 12 daily limit

OUTLOOK: Florida has some of the better wild bobwhite hunting in
the southeastern United States. Best public land opportunities are found
on the Blackwater River State Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, and
the Twin Rivers State Forest. But quail may be found anywhere in
northern Florida where good habitat exists. Check out some of the
limited quota hunts listed on the website, as they provide a high
quality experience with reduced hunting pressure. North Florida is
awfully dry as this goes to press, but it is too early to tell if that
will adversely affect the fall hunting outlook.

GEORGIA

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WEBSITE: http://georgiawildlife.org/hunting

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time, but usually mid-November
through the end of February with a 12-bird daily limit

OUTLOOK: Few states have a longer and richer quail hunting history
than Georgia. Today, bobwhites are just hanging on in the Peach State.
Best quail populations are in east-central, central and southwestern
Georgia, with The Di-Lane WMA offering the best public hunting in the

state, but you'll compete for a limited-quota opportunity
there. The Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA in Marion and Talbot Counties is
another up-and-comer, and should continue to show improvement as recent
habitat work matures. As this goes to press, southern Georgia is dealing
with extreme drought conditions, but it was too early to tell how
severely this will affect fall quail prospects.

ILLINOIS

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WEBSITE: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time. Usually first Saturday in
November thru early January in northern Illinois, and extending through
mid-January in southern Illinois.

PHEASANT SEASON: Same dates as quail season; 2 cock daily limit

OUTLOOK: A string of wet years has driven Illinois'
already-low quail and pheasant populations even lower. For pheasants,
look to the state's lottery system for hunts on Controlled Pheasant
Hunting Areas. Good bets include the Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
(Clinton County), Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area
(Cass County), and the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area (Franklin
& Jefferson Counties). Only scattered remnants of wild quail remain
in Illinois, primarily on private lands in the southern counties.

IOWA

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WEBSITE: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting

QUAIL SEASON: October 28-January 31; 8 daily limit

PHEASANT SEASON: October 28-January 10; 3 cock daily limit

OUTLOOK: Quail numbers have increased dramatically for the last few
seasons in Iowa's southern two tiers of counties. Quail entered
last season in great shape, and the recent winter was very mild.
Pheasants have also responded well to good conditions. Iowa is my home
state, and I enjoyed some excellent hunting in north-central Iowa last
fall on public lands. April 2017 was quite cold and wet, but it is still
too early to tell if this hurt nesting success. The growing Iowa Habitat
& Access Program (IHAP) now has more than 20,000 acres of private
lands enrolled in 51 of the state's 99 counties. More info on the
program is available on the website.

IDAHO

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WEBSITE: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hunt

QUAIL SEASON: September 16-January 31; 10 daily limit. Quail
hunting is allowed only in upland game management Area 1, which is
essentially the western half of the state. See web site for unit
boundaries. Valley quail and bobwhites are hunted in Idaho, with valley
quail by far the more numerous.

OUTLOOK: Idaho hunters enjoy an enviable slate of opportunities.
Quail hunting along the Snake River and tributaries west of Twin Falls
should be excellent again this year. Pheasant numbers have also improved
recently in Idaho, with the best hunting occurring between Moscow and
Lewiston. In addition to abundant public land throughout the state,
Idaho now has over 300,000 acres of private lands enrolled in the Access
Yes! Program. For more information on that program, see the Idaho Fish
and Game website.

INDIANA

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WEBSITE: www.hunting.in.gov

QUAIL SEASON: North of I-74, November 1-December 15 with 4 daily
limit; South of I-74, November 1-January 10 with 8 daily limit.

PHEASANT SEASON: November 1-December 15; 2 cock limit

OUTLOOK: Wild pheasants and quail are now all but extirpated from
Indiana, due to long-term weather patterns and habitat loss. For
pheasants, look for some fun put-and-take hunting on state fish and
wildlife areas like Atterbury, Glendale, J. E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River
and Winamac. Reservations must be submitted online starting September 1.

KANSAS

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WEBSITE: http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Hunting/Upland-Birds

QUAIL SEASON:

Not set at press time, but usually mid-November-January 31; 8 daily
limit

PHEASANT SEASON: Same dates as quail; 4 cock limit

OUTLOOK: Quail numbers have been on the increase in Kansas for
three consecutive years. Coming out of a mild winter, hunting should be
good again in 2017. Pheasants have also been holding steady to slightly
increasing. For good pheasant action, check out public areas in
Mitchell, Norton and Osborne Counties. Quail hunting should be good
statewide, but south-central Kansas is the best of the best.

MICHIGAN

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WEBSITE: www.michigan.gov/dnr

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time, but last year was October
20-November 14; 5 daily limit. Quail hunting allowed only in 27 counties
in southern Michigan.

OUTLOOK: Thanks to a couple of years of favorable nesting
conditions, pheasants have been on the upswing in Michigan. And thanks
to a mild winter, 2017 should continue this pattern. Still, hunters
generally average only one rooster pheasant flushed for every couple of
hours of hunting. Look for the best pheasant hunting wherever CRP or
CREP program acres exist in the southern Lower Peninsula. Quail hunting
in Michigan hardly warrants mentioning, and the state has not posted a
status report on the species since 2013.

KENTUCKY

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WEBSITE: http://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Bobwhite-Quail.aspx

QUAIL SEASON: November 1-January 31 in the eastern zone, except for
the first two days of gun deer season. In the western zone, season runs
from the third day of gun deer season (mid-November) through February
10. Daily limit is 8 quail statewide.

OUTLOOK: You have to admire Kentucky's ongoing attempts to
restore quail. Bobwhites have appreciated the gesture, and have
generally held steady or slightly increased despite terrible weather
conditions. Look for decent but not spectacular hunting again this
season. Kentucky's best quail hunting continues to be found on
reclaimed mining lands and properties enrolled in the Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in the south-central and western
parts of the state. One example is the massive Peabody WMA, where quail
habitat has been actively managed for a long time.

MINNESOTA

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WEBSITE: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/pheasant/index.html

PHEASANT SEASON: October 145-January 1; 2 cock daily limit.

MOST PROMISING: Last year, Minnesota was one of the rare exceptions
to the decline of CRP acres in the United States. After several
consecutive years of losses, Minnesota saw a net increase of more than
35,000 acres of grassland habitat in 2016. Weather has also been
favorable, so pheasant populations have seen a modest boost in
Minnesota. Biggest gains have occurred in the central and south-central
regions, yet southwestern Minnesota is still tops for total population
density. Look for 2017 to be at least as good as 2016, but keep things
in perspective. Minnesota's pheasant population is still almost 50
percent below its long-term average.

MISSISSIPPI

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WEBSITE: http://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/quail-prograrn.aspx

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time, but usually late November
through early March; 8 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: How bad is the quail hunting in Mississippi? Well,
Illinois hunters harvest more quail than Mississippi hunters do. The
Delta region will have the "best" populations of birds this
year, but even there a hard day of hunting may turn up only a covey or
two. Look for areas where young hardwood habitat is actively maintained
by prescribed burning.

MISSOURI

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WEBSITE: http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping

QUAIL SEASON: November 1-January 15; 8 daily limit.

PHEASANT SEASON: Same as quail season; 2 cock daily limit.

OUTLOOK: There may be a few wild pheasants remaining in the
"boot heel" region of far southeastern Missouri, but the
state's pheasant range is generally restricted to the northern
three tiers of counties. Within that area, the northwestern corner of
the state will be tops for pheasants in 2017. But don't expect to
see abundant pheasants anywhere in Missouri; ringnecks have fallen on
hard times here. Quail populations have been rebounding for the past few
years in Missouri. Good hunting will be enjoyed in localized areas
wherever prime habitat exists, especially in northwestern Missouri. For
public land quail action, go to the MDC quail page and click "Where
to Hunt." There you'll find info on 21 Quail Emphasis Areas
around the state.

MONTANA

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WEBSITE: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting

PHEASANT SEASON: October 7-January 1; 3 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: Although CRP loss has hurt Montana pheasants, the weather
has been almost ideal for winter survival and nesting success in recent
years. Consequently, 2017 should be a pretty good year. Pheasants are
found throughout Montana wherever agricultural lands exist, and all
areas of the state reported increased bird populations in 2016. To stem
the tide of CRP loss, the state enrolls CRP lands in the Open Fields for
Game Bird Hunters program. Program lands are open to hunting. The
program prioritizes the prime pheasant range of northcentral and
northeastern Montana. For maps and info, see the following link:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/openFields.

NEBRASKA

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WEBSITE: http://outdoor-nebraska.ne.gov/hunting

QUAIL & PHEASANT SEASON: Not set at press time, but likely
October 28-January 31; 3 daily limit on pheasants, 6 daily limit on
quail.

OUTLOOK: Kansas and South Dakota get more press, but Nebraska
offers good hunting for pheasants and quail. Best pheasant hunting in
2017 will likely be in the Panhandle and Southwest regions. Pockets of
pheasants can be found virtually statewide wherever good habitat exists,
but the population thins out steadily as you go southeast. Best quail
populations right now are in the Republican, Southeast and East Central
regions. Nebraska now has some of the best and most user-friendly
"Where to Hunt" online mapping in the nation. For a
comprehensive guide to public lands in all regions, including
interactive maps, go to http://outdoornebraska.gov/wheretohunt/.

NEW MEXICO

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WEBSITE: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time, but typically November
15-February 15 with a 15 bird daily limit (only 5 may be Mearns'
quail)

OUTLOOK: Moderate drought still persists in southwestern New Mexico
as this goes to press. However, quail are in good shape in the prime
southeastern portion of the

state. New Mexico hunters can choose from scaled, Gambel's and
Mearns' quail. Gambel's and scaled quail can be found in
greatest abundance on BLM lands south of Deming. For Mearns' quail,
look to the Sacramento and Capitan mountains or the Gila National
Forest.

NEVADA

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WEBSITE: http://www.ndow.org/Hunt/

QUAIL SEASON: Not finalized at press time, but last year was
October 8-February 5, with daily limit of 10 quail. See website for
special harvest regulations on mountain quail.

OUTLOOK: Drought relief had already commenced when we wrote last
year's forecast, and good moisture continued over the ensuing
months. Today, the drought has ended throughout most of Nevada.
Gambel's quail remain at low levels, due to many years of drought
conditions. Better hunting should be available in 2017 for California
(valley) quail. The Northern Great Basin encompasses much of the
bird's range. The Nevada Division of Wildlife publishes a thorough
annual report on the status of upland bird populations. Look for the
"Small Game Status Book" link on the Upland Game section of
the website.

NORTH CAROLINA

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WEBSITE: www.ncwildlife.org/hunting

QUAIL SEASON: November 18-February 28; 6 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: Recent years have not exactly been the glory days of North
Carolina quail hunting, and 2017 will not reverse that trend. However, a
glimmer of hope can be glimpsed in the state's Cooperative Upland
Habitat Restoration and Enhancement program (CURE). CURE has boosted
bobwhites most notably in Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin and Sampson
counties. For public land in the program, check out the Suggs Mill Pond
Game Lands. Maps to all public hunting lands in North Carolina can be
found at the following link:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/WheretoHunt/PublicPlaces.aspx.

NORTH DAKOTA

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WEBSITE: https://gf.nd.gov/hunting

PHEASANT SEASON: October 7-January 1; 3 cock daily limit. However,
be aware that recent legislation prohibits nonresidents from hunting for
the first seven days of the season on any public lands or private lands
enrolled in public access programs.

OUTLOOK: North Dakota pheasant hunters historically enjoy one of
the highest harvest rates per hunter in the nation. Pheasant populations
dipped in 2016 due to wacky weather, with one exception. The northwest
corner of the state saw dramatic increases in brood counts. With that
momentum carried into this year, McLean and Sheridan counties are worth
a look in 2017. For access, check out the Private Land Open to Sportsmen
(PLOTS) program, http://gf.nd.gov/hunting/private-land-open-sportsmen

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OKLAHOMA

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WEBSITE: https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/

PHEASANT SEASON: December 1-January 31; 3 cock daily limit (Open
only in designated areas. See regulation guide for more information.)

QUAIL SEASON: November 11-February 15; 10 daily limit

OUTLOOK: Oklahoma is one of the nation's top wild quail
states, with an annual harvest consistently in excess of a million
birds. Additionally, the Sooner State is one of the few places in the
nation where quail populations are at their highest levels in almost
three decades. Western Oklahoma will have the best quail action in 2017,
and the Sandy Sanders WMA is a good place to start. Pheasants also
surged in 2016, so this year's nesting season got off to a good
start. Beaver, Grant and Noble counties are tops for pheasants in
Oklahoma, but consider pheasants a nice and unexpected bonus to quail
hunting.

OREGON

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WEBSITE: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/upland_bird/

PHEASANT SEASON: Not set at press time, but usually early October
through December 31 with 2 cock daily limit.

QUAIL SEASON: Season dates and limits vary dramatically by zone.
Check website in late summer for details.

OUTLOOK: The drought is over in Oregon, but quail and pheasants are
still in recovery mode. Thus far, quail seem to be doing a bit better
than pheasants. Good valley quail hunting can be had throughout the
western two thirds of the state along brushy stream courses. Top
pheasant prospects in 2017 will be found in the eastern part of the
Columbia River basin, unless nesting birds in Malheur County bounce back
from the low numbers of 2016. Be sure to check out the "Columbia
Basin Bird Hunting Guide" on the above website.

PENNSYLVANIA

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WEBSITE: www.pgc.state.pa.us

PHEASANT SEASON: Split season with dates varying widely among
several units; 2 daily limit. See website for season dates in each unit.

OUTLOOK: Pennsylvania continues its uphill battle to revive wild
pheasants with the Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA) program, begun in
2007. Hunting is still not allowed on program areas, so pheasant hunting
in Pennsylvania remains a put-and-take proposition for pen-raised birds.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission stocks huge numbers of pheasants every
year on State Game Lands.

For regional stocking information and maps of the Game Lands, see
the PGC website. Pennsylvania does have a management plan to revive
bobwhite quail. However, quail are so rare in Pennsylvania now, we
probably should leave them alone and hope for the future.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

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WEBSITE: http://dnr.sc.gov/hunt-ing.html

QUAIL SEASON: Seasons and regulations vary by game management zone.
Additionally, season dates for private and public lands are not the same
in many cases. Consult the online regulation booklet when published late
summer.

OUTLOOK: In 2016, quail whistle counts increased in South Carolina
for the first time in a long time. The Piedmont and the upper coastal
plain should be tops for quail in the Palmetto state this year. Be
advised, however, that South Carolina's best wild quail hunting
occurs on private plantations. In coming years, stay tuned to South
Carolina's "Quail Focal Areas," a new initiative to
increase quail populations in targeted areas. Until then, you may stand
a chance for a covey flush on the Francis Marion National Forest in
Berkeley and Charleston counties, or the Sumter National Forest in
Newberry and Union counties. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/scnfs/for more
info.

TENNESSEE

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WEBSITE: http://www.tn.gov/twra/

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at press time, but likely November 4-February
28 with a daily limit of 6 quail.

OUTLOOK: Tennessee has gotten a later start at quail habitat
restoration than some other states. Last year we reported on
Tennessee's launch of a quail restoration plan on four
"anchor" WMAs. These are the Wolf River WMA (Fayette County),
Bark Camp Barrens WMA (Coffee County), Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial
Wilderness WMA (White County), and Lick Creek Bottoms (Greene County).
The University of Tennessee will conduct its first monitoring of those
areas this year. Meanwhile, expect quail prospects ranging from poor to
fair in Tennessee until the program reaches maturity.

SOUTH DAKOTA

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WEBSITE: http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting

PHEASANT SEASON: October 21-January 7; 3 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: South Dakota boasts that its pheasant harvest has exceeded
a million birds for 17 of the past 20 seasons. Even in the down years,
the harvest has topped 900,000 roosters. Pheasant numbers last year were
less than half the amazing peak year of 2008, but still good compared to
most states in the country. We reported last year that South Dakota has
lost two million acres of CRP lands over the past 10 years. Now the
state has launched an aggressive five-year pheasant management plan. Its
goal is "to maintain abundant populations of pheasants...by
fostering a partnership-driven approach for habitat development." I
foresee a bright future for pheasants in South Dakota.

TEXAS

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WEBSITE: http://tpwd.texas.gov/

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at

press time but likely October 28-February 25 with a 15 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: Despite summer flooding last year, 2016 turned into a
fabulous quail hunting year in Texas. Bird populations were strong
statewide, and that bodes well for this year also. Public land is scarce
in Texas, but the Chaparral and Daughtrey WMAs in south Texas are good
for bobwhites. Texas also holds a December pheasant season in the
37-county panhandle region, but populations are still rebounding from
the drought recently ended. Best bets for ringnecks in 2017 will be
Dallam, Hartley, Hansford, Sherman, Ochiltree, Moore, Carson, and
Roberts counties.

OUTLOOK: Utah has Gambel's and valley quail, and both continue
to rebound from the drought of the past several years. Look to the areas
that carried strong populations through the 2016 season. Those include
Washington County for Gambel's quail, and Uintah, Utah, Weber,
Duchesne and Emery counties for valley quail. Wild pheasant populations
in Utah are best in Box Elder, Cache, and Utah Counties. Additionally,
the state releases thousands of pen-raised pheasants on dozens of public
hunting areas throughout the state. For a map of those areas, see the
upland game website above.

OUTLOOK: Torrential rains in 2016 were disastrous for Wisconsin
pheasants. Additionally, the state has lost almost 70% of its former CRP
acreage. In most years, Fond du Lac, Waukesha, and Jefferson counties
are tops for wild pheasants in Wisconsin, but don't expect great
hunting there in 2017 unless the spring and summer weather turn out
ideal. To console today's pheasant hunters, the Wisconsin DNR
stocks about 75,000 pheasants for put-and-take hunting on 90 public
hunting lands throughout western and southeastern Wisconsin. See the
website for a map of stocked parcels.

VIRGINIA

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WEBSITE: www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting

QUAIL SEASON: Not set at

press time, but typically mid-November-January 31; 6 daily limit.

OUTLOOK: Quail reports in Virginia these days are a mixed bag of
hope and disappointment. Birds are popping up in areas where they
haven't been seen for years, but the statewide trend is still a
decline. Most of the state's WMAs east of the Blue Ridge mountains
have some quail, which make an occasional bonus for woodcock hunters.
Still, private lands--which are managed for quail--in the southeast
tidewater region remain the last real stronghold for bobwhites in
Virginia.

WASHINGTON

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WEBSITE: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/upland_birds/index.html

QUAIL SEASON: Dates and limits vary widely by zone. See website for
details.

PHEASANT SEASON: Dates and limits vary widely by zone. See website
for details.

OUTLOOK: Pheasant habitat work has been underway in Washington, and
it started paying off in 2016. Nice bumps in wild pheasant populations
were seen in Grant, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, and Walla Walla
counties. The state has a new cooperative program with more than 600
landowners, which improves habitat and creates access for hunters. You
can download a comprehensive booklet on hunting access at the website.
Valley quail hunting was also good in 2016, and is shaping up well for
this year. Top counties for quail in Washington are Grant, Douglas and
Kittitas.

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BY CHAD MASON

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